braised beef brisket with radish

How to Make Braised Beef and Radish: A Complete Guide

Braised beef and radish is a hearty, comforting dish that tenderizes tough beef while infusing radish with rich, savory flavors. Here’s a detailed guide to mastering it.

Ingredients: 500g beef brisket (cut into 2-inch cubes), 1 large white radish (peeled and quartered), 3-4 ginger slices, 2-3 scallions (tied), 2 tbsp cooking oil, 1 tbsp light soy sauce, 1 tbsp dark soy sauce, 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine, 1 tsp sugar, 5-6 star anise, 1 cinnamon stick, and 3 cups beef broth.

Steps:

1. Prep the beef: Boil beef brisket in boiling water for 5 minutes to remove scum. Rinse and drain.

2. Sauté the aromatics: Heat oil in a pot over medium heat. Sauté ginger, scallions, star anise, and cinnamon until fragrant.

3. Brown the beef: Add beef and stir-fry until lightly browned. Pour in Shaoxing wine, light soy sauce, and dark soy sauce, coating the beef evenly.

4. Simmer: Add sugar, broth, and enough water to cover the beef. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1.5 hours.

5. Add radish: Place radish quarters among the beef. Simmer for another 30-40 minutes until radish is soft and beef is fork-tender.

6. Adjust and serve: Discard scallions, star anise, and cinnamon. Thicken the sauce with cornstarch slurry (optional) for a glossy finish. Garnish with cilantro and serve hot with rice.

Tips: For extra flavor, marinate beef overnight with soy sauce and ginger. Choose firm radish to avoid mushiness. Slow cooking is key—low heat ensures melt-in-your-mouth beef and a radish that soaks up the broth. Enjoy this warming, umami-packed meal!